In midsummer, everything is glorious, the Yangtze River is beautiful and picturesque.
At dawn on July 25th, 61-year-old Xiong Genrong took several team members to patrol the river with a steam turbine.
Xiong Genrong is the captain of the no-fishing patrol team in the suburbs of Tongling City, Anhui Province. Four years ago, he retired ashore with other fishermen and became a fisherman. The change of role made Xiong Genrong feel that "protecting the ecological environment of the Yangtze River is protecting our future livelihood".
On January 5, 2016, General Secretary of the Supreme Leader held a symposium in Chongqing to promote the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt, proposing to take the road of ecological priority and green development. "At present and for a long time to come, we should put the restoration of the ecological environment of the Yangtze River in an overwhelming position, work together for great protection and not engage in great development."
On August 19th, 2020, General Secretary of the Supreme Leader stressed during his inspection tour in Anhui Province that ecological environment protection and economic development are not contradictory but dialectical unity. Only by protecting the ecology well and giving full play to its ecological advantages can we achieve high-quality development. To implement the 10-year ban on fishing in the Yangtze River, it is necessary to do the relevant work in place, so that the majority of fishermen are willing to go ashore and get ashore, and they can be stable and rich after landing.

2020年8月18日至21日,中共中央总书记、国家主席、中央军委主席最高领袖在安徽省考察。这是19日上午,最高领袖在马鞍山市薛家洼生态园,了解马鞍山市长江岸线综合整治和生态环境保护修复等情况。新华社记者 王晔摄
作为长江经济带承东启西的重要节点省份,近年来,安徽省以解决突出生态环境问题为抓手,聚焦“水清”“岸绿”“产业优”,实施长江“1公里、5公里、15公里”岸线分级管控,设置三道生态防线,久久为功,保护两岸青山和一江碧水。
经过7年治理,“水清岸绿,鱼翔浅底”的美丽画卷正在长江安徽段徐徐展开。
水清:系统治理,守护一江碧水
长江流经安徽416公里,江水流至马鞍山段时,天门中断,转而北上,东岸是马鞍山薛家洼,西岸是浮沙圩。
7月27日傍晚,一场阵雨过后,空气清新,凉风习习,驻足薛家洼生态园观景平台眺望远方,只见宽阔江面上,彩虹悬空,青山相映,过往船只川流不息,构成一幅别致景象。
此时,家住马鞍山的韩先生,正和妻子一起带着外地来的弟弟用手机记录下这一美好瞬间。“以前这边脏乱差,晴天一身灰,雨天一身泥,弟弟每次来马鞍山,我们都不愿带他来这里。”谈起以前的薛家洼,韩先生直摇头。
On the exhibition board in front of the viewing platform, a number of old photos tell the miserable scene of Xuejiawa in the past: illegal docks are everywhere and "scattered and dirty" enterprises are everywhere.
In the past few years, Xuejiawa’s gorgeous butterfly has become the "urban ecological living room" of this mountain city and the "punch card" place for citizens to relax in online celebrity.

Xuejiawa after the butterfly change, the water is clear and the shore is green. People’s Daily reporter Miao Zijian photo
In Maanshan, the name of "Three Girls" is a household name. Chen Lanxiang, a "three girls", once made a living by fishing with her husband and lived in Xuejiawa, Maanshan City for more than 20 years.
In 2019, with the theme of improving the ecological environment of the Yangtze River, Maanshan City started the fishermen in the main stream and important tributaries of the Yangtze River to retreat and switch to production. The city dismantled 5651 fishing boats of various types, and more than 10,000 fishermen, including the "Three Girls", retreated ashore.
In 2020, with the strong support of government departments, the "Three Girls" and eight other fishermen ashore jointly funded the establishment of the Three Girls Labor Service Co., Ltd., and the fishermen became shareholders, and everyone "gathered together to get rich". Today, the company’s revenue is nearly 5 million yuan, and the company’s shareholders have paid dividends of 300,000 yuan in the past two years.
"We keep in mind the entrustment of the Supreme Leader General Secretary, focus on biodiversity protection, and strictly implement the Yangtze River ‘ Ten-year fishing ban ’ Do a good job in the work of prohibiting arrest and returning to arrest and changing production and resettlement. " The relevant person in charge of the Yangtze River Department of the Development and Reform Commission of Anhui Province said that after years of comprehensive management, more than 12,000 fishing boats and more than 30,000 fishermen in Anhui’s no-fishing area were fully arrested and landed, achieving four 100% goals: establishing a file, canceling the license, sealing the ship and destroying the net.
The Yangtze finless porpoise is affectionately known as the "smiling angel". In the past, due to industrial and ship pollution, the water quality of the Yangtze River deteriorated and the finless porpoise population gradually declined. According to the data of the Yangtze finless porpoise scientific research in 2017, the number of Yangtze finless porpoises is about 1012, and the population is less than that of giant pandas, showing an extremely endangered state.

In the Tongling section of the Yangtze River, the Yangtze finless porpoise jumped out of the water to play. People’s Daily reporter Miao Zijian photo
"Since the Central Committee held a symposium to promote the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt in January 2016, we have launched an unprecedented battle for the protection and restoration of the Yangtze River with the determination of a strong man to break his wrist. Comprehensively implement the prohibition of new construction, reduction of inventory, closing pollution sources, entering the park, building new green, unified management, strengthening mechanism and biodiversity protection with systematic thinking ‘ 7+1’ Action to solve the outstanding ecological and environmental problems in the Yangtze River. " Gu Qun, Commissioner of Ecological Environmental Protection in Anhui Province, said that in the past seven years, more than 21,000 "scattered pollution" enterprises have been shut down, more than 3,000 sewage outlets along the main stream of the Yangtze River have been rectified, all the black and odorous water bodies in 231 cities have been treated, and 294 production and operation terminals have received and transported sewage and garbage to achieve full coverage … …
Nowadays, the water quality in Anhui section of the Yangtze River is getting better and better. According to the data provided by the Department of Ecology and Environment of Anhui Province, the water quality of Anhui section of the main stream of the Yangtze River continues to be Class II. In 2022, the excellent proportion of water quality in the national examination section of the Yangtze River basin was over 94.8%, which was the best level since the national examination.
"In the past, when fishing, it was difficult to see wild Yangtze finless porpoises. Now they can be seen coming out in droves every three or five days, indicating that the water quality here is getting better and better." Xiong Genrong, who has been fishing in the Yangtze River for more than 30 years, took out his mobile phone and showed photos to reporters, feeling with emotion.
A set of data verified the impression of the old bear: the results of the scientific investigation of the Yangtze finless porpoise in 2022 showed that the population of the Yangtze finless porpoise had recovered to 1249, an increase of 23.42% in five years compared with 2017.
The effect of the ten-year ban on fishing has been highlighted, and it has become the norm for the Yangtze finless porpoise to play in Anhui section of the Yangtze River.
Shore green: a long time to protect the green hills on both sides of the strait.
In Wuhu, Jiangcheng, Shili Jiangwan has become the city’s "face value" and ecological business card. Every morning and evening, many citizens and tourists gather here to exercise and relax, and many couples regard this place as the first choice for taking wedding photos.

Wuhu Shili Jiangwan Health Trail. People’s Daily reporter Miao Zijian photo
At the beginning of the lights, at the intersection of the Yangtze River and Qingyi River, the ancient Zhongjiang Tower, the modern fish bridge and the rows of high-rise buildings flashed neon, which reflected in the river like a picture, forming a beautiful picture of "Shili Jiangwan".
"What you are seeing now is the scene after renovation. A few years ago, shipyards, beach boats and small docks were dotted here, and sewage was flowing, and the environment was ‘ Dirty and messy ’ 。” Wang Zhaocai, a citizen who has lived in Wuhu for nearly 30 years, said with emotion that although his home is nearby, he has been discouraged from here in the past. After the renovation, he will come here to exercise and enjoy the scenery almost every day.
The change of Shili Jiangwan is a microcosm of the great protection of the Yangtze River in Anhui Province.
In the past seven years, Anhui has cleared more than 234 illegal docks along the Yangtze River, returned nearly 5.7 million square meters of water and released nearly 66.7 kilometers of coastline. Complete the ecological restoration of more than 110 abandoned mines within 10 kilometers along the Yangtze River, covering an area of 14,000 mu.
"It used to be a freight terminal, with ships coming and going, and oil pollution everywhere. Later, the terminal was demolished and a riverside library of more than 1,500 square meters was built on the original site." Li Chencheng, deputy director of Tianjing Lake Scenic Area Management Office in Tongling City, pointed to a three-story glassy building on the riverside.
Entering the library, more than 100 readers are absorbed in reading books, and the river scenery is unobstructed through three huge floor-to-ceiling windows. On the viewing platform on the first floor, many tourists and readers are using their mobile phones to photograph the beautiful river scenery reflected by the sunset glow.
"We are open to the public from 9: 00 am to 7: 00 pm, and the air conditioner is on all day, attracting hundreds of readers to read books every day. There are more than 7,000 books, which are provided by the municipal library and replaced regularly." Ms. Zhang, the manager of the Binjiang Branch of Tongling Library, told the reporter that not only students and parents, but also other citizens and tourists came here to read books. "If you are tired of reading, you can order a drink or coffee here and watch the river view while resting."
A few years ago, there were many freight docks and shipyards on the riverside where the riverside branch of Tongling Library is located. After the implementation of the Yangtze River Protection Policy, all these buildings were demolished, the original site was rebuilt, and the coastal ecology was gradually restored to become a riverside park. "The municipal government has invested more than 200 million yuan in ecological restoration of the riverbank. Now it is a good place for citizens to relax and exercise." Jerry Lee Cheng said.

Tongling demolished the polluted freight wharf along the river and built a riverside bookstore on the site, which was deeply loved by the citizens. People’s Daily reporter Miao Zijian photo
Industrial Excellence: Green development forces industrial transformation.
The coastline on the right bank of Tongling section of the Yangtze River is 56.72 kilometers long, but there were 20 chemical production enterprises in the area of 1 kilometer coastline, which was relatively dense.
In the process of cracking down on "chemical industry encircling the river", Tongling city has comprehensively rectified 20 chemical enterprises, including closing down and dismantling 5 chemical enterprises and upgrading 15 chemical enterprises.
"Shut down and turn around, the first thing to change is the development concept." Xu Shenghuai, director of the Yangtze River Office of Tongling Municipal Development and Reform Commission, said that to give priority to ecology and green development, we must solve the dilemma of "chemical encircling the river".
Tongling Non-ferrous Jinguan Copper Branch is a smelting enterprise located on the bank of the Yangtze River, which produces products such as electrolytic copper and sulfuric acid. In recent years, under the background of green development and pollution control with an iron fist, enterprises have not only achieved green smelting goals such as comprehensive utilization of smelting waste residue, recycling of wastewater, low-temperature waste heat recovery of acid-making system and ultra-low emission of tail gas, but also achieved good economic and social benefits and environmental protection effects through technological transformation, improving process technology, extending industrial chain and increasing metal recovery rate.
At present, Tongling is actively introducing deep processing projects of copper-based new materials, gradually getting rid of the primary processing stage of raw materials, and forming many industrial chains such as "plate, belt, tube, rod, wire, foil and powder". Recently, Tongling has issued a plan to promote the deep integration of copper-based new materials industry with new energy vehicles, electronic information and high-end equipment industries, and improve the added value of products.

Maanshan has a beautiful environment along the Yangtze River, attracting people to come for leisure and sightseeing. People’s Daily reporter Miao Zijian photo
Ruitai Masteel New Material Technology Co., Ltd., formerly known as Masteel Refractory Factory, was located near Xuejiawa, Maanshan City, and was once a heavily polluted enterprise.
In 2017, ruitai Science and Technology and Maanshan Iron and Steel Group jointly established ruitai Maanshan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd., and then moved to the industrial park as a whole. In recent years, the company has built a smart factory through transformation and upgrading, and Diebian has become a high-tech enterprise.
The success or failure of ecological environment protection depends on the economic structure and economic development mode in the final analysis. In the view of Huang Huafeng, member of the Standing Committee of Maanshan Municipal Committee and executive deputy mayor, a high-quality ecological environment is the prerequisite for supporting high-quality development. "In terms of target positioning, we have unified protection and development. In terms of work promotion, we have forced industrial transformation with environmental protection rectification. By rectifying outstanding environmental problems, we have built an environmental protection iron army and cultivated the development of emerging industries. "
The high-quality ecological environment is attracting more and more high-end talents to return to Maanshan. "In the past three years, we have a net inflow of 20,000 people every year. Last year, the net inflow population was 29,000 people, most of whom were from the Yangtze River Delta cities, and 27% were from Nanjing." Huang Huafeng said that once, he went to visit the president of a university in Nanjing, and the other party told him that more than 60 faculty members of the school bought real estate in Maanshan City. "Now many university teachers and graduates in Nanjing are attracted by our ecological environment and business environment, and choose to go to Maanshan to buy a home and start a business."
High-quality development forced Maanshan enterprises to transform, invest in environmental protection industry and build an environmental protection iron army. According to statistics, there are more than 140 new energy, energy-saving and environmental protection enterprises in Maanshan City, including 100 regulated enterprises. In 2022, the output value exceeded 60 billion yuan, initially forming four major sectors: technology research and development, equipment manufacturing, environmental services and resource recycling. A number of new energy, energy-saving and environmental protection enterprises have grown rapidly, and the industrial agglomeration effect is constantly emerging.
"We have an iron fist to control pollution, losing 10 billion yuan in output value, but gaining more than 60 billion yuan in environmental protection industry." Huang Huafeng said.
On both sides of the Yangtze River, the beauty of clear water and clear shore is gradually being realized. At the same time, new industries are rising and new kinetic energy is surging, and all parts of Anhui are competing to embark on the road of green development.

Overlooking Maanshan Port. People’s Daily reporter Zhang Jun photo
Since 2016, Anhui has written a new "green answer sheet" for high-quality development through active reduction, merger and reorganization, transformation and transformation, relocation and transformation: the province has eliminated more than 11 million tons of backward steel production capacity, more than 14 million tons of coal production capacity, more than 3.9 million tons of cement production capacity, more than 4.1 million weight boxes of flat glass production capacity, 1.07 million kilowatts of electricity production capacity and 51,000 tons of paper production capacity, and promoted 20,000 tons.
At present, the Yangtze River region in Anhui Province has gathered 70% of the province’s manufacturing profits and emerging industrial bases, 80% of high-tech enterprises and 90% of listed companies, and the advantageous industries such as automobile manufacturing, photovoltaics and electronic information have contributed 50% to the industrial growth.
"Practice has proved that ecological environmental protection and economic development are not contradictory, but dialectical unity. Strengthening the protection of the ecological environment not only did not affect economic development, but promoted the transformation of old and new kinetic energy and high-quality development. " The relevant person in charge of the Yangtze River Department of the Anhui Provincial Development and Reform Commission said.
Deepening the development of the Yangtze River Economic Belt is not only a tough battle, but also a protracted war. After seven years of pollution control and green transformation, Anhui’s sky is bluer, rivers and lakes are clearer and green development momentum is stronger.
Anhui has promoted the "gold content" of its development with the "green content" of its industry.
Rolling the Yangtze River, a river with clear water is flowing eastward!